The range of pulmonary artery catheter balloon inflation pressures.

Pulmonary artery catheters are frequently used and may be the cause of pulmonary artery rupture. The "feel" of balloon inflation, a clinical sign of a "wedged" catheter, was noted to vary among different manufacturers' catheters. The inflation pressures of five catheters from four manufacturers were examined in the laboratory. Peak pressures ranged from 475 +/- 10 mm Hg to 1,037 +/- 36.8 mm Hg. Plateau pressures ranged from 220 +/- 4 mm Hg to 495 +/- 2.9 mm Hg. Catheters with high inflation pressures may make detection of a wedged catheter by feel impossible and, thus, may increase the risk of a pulmonary artery rupture.